King urges peace process revival, political solution to Syria crisisDoha, 26 March 2013

His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday addressed the 24th Arab Summit’s ordinary session in Doha saying that “the international community is required to shoulder its responsibilities and intensify efforts to restore confidence between the Palestinians and Israelis, and revive peace talks.”

King Abdullah emphasised the importance of “a swift joint action by all parties to find a comprehensive solution that puts an end to violence and bloodshed in Syria, alleviates the suffering of its people and safeguards its territorial integrity.”

His Majesty said “the international community is also required to exercise pressure on Israel to stop unilateral measures which hinder the achievement of peace, mainly continued settlement activities in the West Bank, which aim at changing the demographics in Jerusalem, by evicting Arab residents from East Jerusalem. Israel also poses threats to Islamic and Christian holy places in the city, and attempts to impose a new reality in the Al Haram Al Sharif compound.”

The King emphasised the need to “revive peace talks to build on progress made so far and resolve all final status issues that can ultimately lead to the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state, on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, on the basis of the two-state solution, the Arab Peace Initiative and international resolutions.”

The King said “Jordan will continue to carry out its religious and historic duties in safeguarding Jerusalem and its holy sites, and supporting its Arab residents to remain in their land and stand firm against Israeli plans with all possible means, and in full coordination with our Palestinian brethren. We look forward to the support of our Arab brothers for our efforts to protect Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites.”

His Majesty warned that “the escalating situation in Syria requires a swift joint action by all parties to find a comprehensive solution that puts an end to violence and bloodshed in Syria, alleviates the suffering of its people and safeguards its territorial integrity.”

The King said “Jordan has been receiving hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees despite its limited resources and difficult economic conditions.”